Fair Winds Farms

I don't know why I have never reviewed this amazing place. It is simply one of my favorite places in the area. I have had an awesome birthday party for an 8 year old there. My son's first time on a horse was there. Lunch for a friend's birthday on the little island was there and any time I want to feel close to earth and nature I ask the owner Chris if I can stop by. It is truly beautiful. The horses just add a little magical touch to the farm. It is also the perfect place for a wedding. If I were getting married it would be here at Fair Winds Farm. There is an amazing photographer Betty Bryant who can capture people and animals beautifully. As I said it's one of my favorite places in the area.

Long time, advanced horse owner checking in here (I have been riding/competitive since I was 4 years old, mainly in hunters and in California, my home state)! I looked long and hard to find a place to back/start my baby (coming up 2 year old Appendix, mare). I had raised this mare since 4 months of age when her mother unexpectedly passed on an acquaintances farm, she is my pride and joy and I refused anything but perfection every step of the way for her! I searched and debated for months! I almost bit the bullet and sent her to an eventing barn very far away in Northern Virginia, but stopped in my tracks when I found Betty and Chris! Being closer to my own farm was also a huge positive for me as well! To not see/check in on my youngster was almost an unbearable thought! We are a military family with two small children and as we were also heading in to another large move, to a new farm... I simply found myself with zero time to finish out my mare. Quite frankly, I was heartbroken I couldn't do it myself! It was always the plan! I was convinced she would only need a couple months max, as I had already done so much work with her leading up to this. But I am now keeping her there an extra month as I am just overly impressed with this facility and Betty (I must also mention her daughter who is extremely talented in assisting Betty in the backing process)! What a team! I have been able to come see my youngster every couple weeks and I rode her myself for the first time with Betty, just the other day. Man was I impressed with what they accomplished in 2 short months! Yes, I had already started the work myself, but that does NOT belittle what this team has done/accomplished! I was so happy with her progress I was so emotional, and I am RARELY overly joyful! I am a pretty big realist! I don't know much about the facility in terms of a wedding venue, but I will say this... the facility is immaculate, orderly, and OCD clean! I verge on OCD cleanliness myself, so to see the care and extremes this team goes through for its horses, boarders, students and venue guests, means a lot! Side note as a venue... there may NOT be a more beautiful and enchanting facility for your venue, but you also need to have realistic expectations of a live/working farm/outdoor venue. In the wet/muddy season in Virginia, it's exactly that and although I cannot imagine this team being anything but accommodating, weather is HUGE reality on this island! So come to terms with that right now. I am also saddened to see the negative review from a few months ago, that's is VERY uncharacteristic of this team of women! I have never experienced that and being a monthly paying customer, who shows up repeatedly, one would think I'd be open game to stressful/triggered/emotional attitudes; I have not been. Just repeated kindness and utmost care! But in all sincerity, an absolutely stunning facility! I would highly recommend Fair Winds Farm for anything horse, breeding, training, backing/gentling and yes, a wedding venue!

Great experience good times at this farm at a decent price.I picked up a gift certificate last Christmas for my wife and daughter to do some horseback riding.They had a real great time and had the opportunity to help prepare / groom the horses before the ride.We spent just a little over two hours and enjoyed every minute of it my daughter who is six is still talking about it.Outstanding job to the staff thank you very much.

Absolutely beautiful venue! I would love to comment on the catering staff for the wedding held 10/1 as they were PHENOMENAL! Not sure if they are through the venue or an outside source but they were outgoing, friendly, helpful and they kept the mini crab cakes coming! The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and there are horses that you can go up to and pet during any time! It is a bit of a drive out there but you definitely feel the privacy.The only thing I did not like is the man that helped me park. I was coming from working another wedding that morning and was invited as a +1 to this wedding missing the ceremony by 20mins...The man made what I thought as a joke: sarcastically "well you aren't late at all.." I laughed it off and proceeded to park my car. As I was walking out he again made a comment in a less humorous tone which I didn't appreciate. Now, I know he wasn't part of the wedding as he was wearing an old grey tshirt and worn jeans but why did he care if one person was late?! Not everyone can make it on time in the middle of nowhere...MY BAD...Not sure if he works for the venue or what but maybe be a little kinder to someone since I work in the wedding industry and can easy recommend this place to my couples or not. I'm still giving it 5 starts otherwise because everything made up for this sour introduction.

Couldn't have asked for a better experience! My best friend and I wanted to do something different on our day off and took a trip to Fair Winds! We spent about 2 hours grooming, riding and hearing stories about the area. It was beautiful, and obvious that the animals were well taken care of. Betty was a fantastic teacher, she had to deal with two non- riders today and we felt completely safe. Just a side note, it says Virginia Beach but it's quite a hike out there. Take your time and explore the cemeteries and local farms. It's a very cool area.

I'm at least giving the farm 2 stars because it is a beautiful venue. I hate leaving a bad review but I was in awe the morning of my wedding. The house smelt like cat pee. Granted, we knew it was a dog and cat rescue but I also live in a home with 3 cats (smaller home too) and it doesn't even smell that bad. No one knew where they could hang up their dresses, so we ended up having to hang them in the shower. The guys were totally lost downstairs and had the same issue, not knowing where they could hang the suits (not many options were given). The guys also has 0 privacy. They had to get changed with open windows and the owners were coming in and out. We only had one trash can (with 10 girls). The woman owner was a whole other level of rude towards my family. She screamed at my mother and father while they were leaving. I don't know the entire story since my new husband and I had left. Regardless, it is completely unprofessional to yell at the parents or family of the bride/groom (or anyone attending the wedding) and slam the door. The male owner creeped my guests out a bit because he was just walking around with his dog, not saying much to anyone, besides my husband. We were told before booking the venue that the owners would stay in their RV until the wedding was over. Or they may come out and mingle. The lady sure didn't mingle (friendly) and he barely spoke a word. Cool. I get that it's THEIR house but please do not act totally unprofessional and yell at the bride's family or not do what was expected. We paid a decent amount of money and got treated like dirt by the female owner. Overall our wedding was beautiful thanks to our coordinators but the female owner of the farm caused a scene in the end. So gorgeous venue, premier events is awesome, the lady not so much.

I had a very unfortunate experience with Chris at Fair Winds Farm in Knotts Island. My daughter attended camp over the weekend with her Girl Scout troop. I noticed her jacket was missing when she came home so I spoke to Chris who said she found a jacket and when I asked if it was possible for them to mail it since we do not live in the area (which I would gladly pay the postage) but i never got to that part because she immediately became irate and began raising her voice at me on the phone and said she had better things to do than to make a trip to the post office. Then began to blame my daughter for her negligence in forgetting her jacket (she must not have kids who have left jackets behind like most parents). I told her she was being rude to me and she EXPLODED. She continued to yell and did not let me get a word in then said she was hanging up on me because I was the rude one for even asking her to mail the jacket! So she hung up...but it's not over. She calls me back immediately after she hangs up on me (for more badgering and yelling) and called me some names which I couldn't understand then said I was lazy. I guess for not wanting to drive for over an hour to get the jacket. What a terrible experience. I was so upset that I didn't even know what to think, other than this woman was trusted as a guide at a camp with young children. Never again is all I can say will my daughter attend a camp at this farm. It was a very unfortunate incident and totally unnecessary. She could have just said I cannot mail you the jacket with a brief explanation. I don't even think this farm deserves a one star rating.

When it comes to kids and horses there is no one I trust more than Chris Rush. All three of my children have attended camps and birthday parties at this beautiful farm and every time we have been very pleased. Not only did my kids have good old fashioned fun but they also received sound instruction. Betty is wonderful whether you are a beginner or more advanced rider plus she will take incredible pictures of your kids-- wonderful keepsakes! You cannot go wrong in picking Fair Winds Farm.